Roots Of Nationalism In The Muslim World by Shabir Ahmed

The nationalistic structure of pagan Arabian society, which existed for centuries, was eradicated by the arrival of Islam. Islam invited people to believe in one god, Allah (swt), and to follow His (swt) commands.

For Allah (swt) says, “And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer and to practise zakat; and this is the deen right and straight.” [TMQ Surah Baiyanah (98): ayah 5] It asked for loyalty to the deen rather than to the tribes, for Allah (swt) says, “O you who believe! Take not for protectors your fathers and your brothers if they love kufr above iman: if any of you do so, they do wrong. Say, if it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your friends, your relatives; the wealth that you have gained; the commerce in which you fear decline, or the dwellings which you delight - are dearer to you than Allah or His messenger, or the jihad in His cause - then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the wrongdoers.” [TMQ Surah Tauba:23-24] Ties between the Muslims were therefore based upon the ‘aqeedah of Islam. All Muslims were treated exactly the same, irrespective of their family background, and anyone who declared the shahadah “La ilaha illAllahu Muhammad ar-Rasul Allah” became part of the Muslim Ummah.

This ideological bond continued to be the basis of the relationships between the Muslims for over a thousand years. Islam brought together the Arabs, the Berbers, the Romans, the Persians and the Indians and united them to form ummatun wahida, one people, as described in the Qur’an1. Islam therefore united people irrespective of their colour, race, status or language. It was this bond, which was based on the ‘aqeedah of Islam, that provided the strength and might to the Islamic State in its campaign to spread the Word of Allah (swt) across the globe. Essentially, it was this bond that the Kuffar worked so hard to destroy.